Traction device



w. L. WETTLAUFER I 2,274,947

TRACTION DEVICE March 3, .1942.

Filed May 25, 1939 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1942' I UN l T ED S 'lfil'lfifi .Ei' x ifl' EN 'l F l 1 CE TRACTION DEVICE William L. Wettlaufer, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application May 23, 1939, Serial No. 275,133

4 Claims.

This invention relates to anti-skid devices for use on automotive vehicles.

It is an object of the invention to provide an articulated tread structure in which the component elements are flat flanged members well adapted to economical mass production either as stampings or forgings. It is a further object to provide tubular joints or knuckles for connecting th elements, which joints are sufliciently rugged to resist the severe shear and bearing loads to which such devices are subjected. The elements also include devices for protecting the joints from abrasion and for increasing the tractive surface of the structure, as more fully set forth in the accompanying specification and drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top View of a tread unit of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view, partially in section, showing the unit applied to an automobile tire;

Fig. 3 is a side view, partially in section, of another embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 4 and 5 are top and perspective views, respectively, of one of the link elements of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the end link elements of Fig. 3,

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that the tread unit In is a symmetrical articulated structure, fabricated of overlapping central,

intermediate and end link elements ll, 12, and I3,

respectively, which elements are adapted to be formed by stamping or forging processes.

The intermediate link element i2 is preferably, although not necessarily, formed with a transversely stepped base having one section M at a lower elevation than the adjoining section IS. The section [4 is formed with a cylindrical boss l8, while the section I5 contains a hole I! bordered by an upstanding flange Ill. It will be noted that the flange I8 is curved to define the shape of the end of the element, and also that it tapers downward from a high point on the medial line of the element. The end link element I3 is formed with a similar boss [6a and a bent terminal having side flanges 2i and a hole 22. The central link element II is provided with spaced holes 23, bordered in the manner of the hole 17 of the described intermediate element, by curved terminal flanges I 811.

In assembly, the cylindrical bosses Iii, lea of the several elements are simply inserted in the holes of the adjacent elements, and the bosses are then flared by a suitable die to provide conical heads thereon. It is intended that the holes [1, 23 receive the bosses l'6, I621, with some clearance so that a certain amount of Vertical movement is permitted between the link elements.

The pierced terminals 20 of each unit 10 may carry chain links 26 or other suitable devices for attachment with a fellow encircling strap or a ring chain (not shown) in a manner well known in the art.

In Figs. 3 to 6, the tread unit 33 has its elements arranged in imbricated order, which elements are similar to the element l2 of the first embodiment. These elements, as indicated by the numeral 23, differ only in that the boss 3| on its lower section 32 is slightly elliptical, and that the circular hole 33 on the section 34 is partially bordered by an added depending bead 35. In this embodiment the end elements 36, 31 are necessarily different, the former lement 36 having hole and bead structures 33a, 3411, while the latter has a boss 31a, all of which components are similar to the corresponding structures of the element 23. When the unit 38 is assembled by forming flared heads 46 on the bosses, it will be noted that the bead of each element rests on the lower section 32 to provide a pivot, permitting a generous amount of vertical movement between the elements. The major axes of the elliptical bosses are transverse relative to the medial lines of the elements, thus sufficient clearance in the circular holes is presented to the minor axes of the elliptical bosses to accommodate the described movement.

In both embodiments of the invention, the curved upstanding flanges l3, l8a provide added tractive surface and in addition, such flanges protect the adjacent heads of the connecting bosses from the severe abrasion to which traction units are subjected.

It will be understood that the invention is susceptible of a great number of permutations and combinations of the two described embodiments, and therefore the invention is not to be considered limited to the precise arrangements shown herein, except as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An articulated anti-skid device comprising a plurality of relatively flat overlapping members, and joints for connecting the members, each joint consisting of a tubular boss formed on one member and the adjoining member containing a hole for receiving the boss, said bosses being flared to prevent disassembly.

2. An articulated anti-skid device comprising a plurality of relatively flat overlapping members, joints for connecting the members, each joint consisting of a tubular boss formed on one memher and the adjoining member containing a hole for receiving the boss, said bosses being flared to prevent disassembly, and segmental terminal upstanding fianges concentrically spaced from the holes in the members for protecting the bosses.

3. An articulated anti-skid device comprising a plurality of relatively fiat members disposed in imbricated order, each member having a hole at one extremity and an upstanding tubular boss at its remaining extremity, the boss of one member being rotatably received in the hole of an adjoining member to provide a joint, and said bosses being flared to prevent disassembly. 

